A Word from Executive Director

Dear Friends and well wishers of REDS,

As I look back with gratitude, I admit that your kind sharing has made a great difference in our beneficiaries, who come from a ‘hand to mouth’ family enviroment. Educating the illiterate: Today, the illiterate guardians, relatives and parents are convinced to educate their children, who used to obtain extra cash to the family by ‘hook or crook’ in an unhealthy risky environment. What a significant paradigm shift the REDS staff team had created!

Initially, the beneficiaries had expressed their inability to create a better future for their siblings and their offspring due to the limited earning from the unsecured and underpaid odd jobs elsewhere. All shared to clear the family debts and realized the importance of additional income to survive. They blamed their destiny and the past generation for their misery. They were convinced of the practicality to survive using their hands. They admitted their ignorance of the procedures to complete the administrational requirements. They were occupied and often on the move. Due to this, their children weren’t registered even to utilize the government benefits.

REDS staff assisted in their needs and had obtained their cooperation to create an educational environment in the family. By this, REDS has produced several literate of first-generations. Many children have completed their secondary and higher secondary education and a few are in the process of completing their Degree. Several beneficiaries are earning a better salary and their living standard has improved. They have utilized their professional skills to leap forward and are shining! When REDS was initiated in Bengaluru, REDS gave loan to rent-rooms and houses in Vivek Nagar area and introduced them to different business establishments and the residential areas to collect dry and wet wastes.

ID cards were issued to the regular street contacts to protect them from misunderstanding and to prevent unnecessary harassments. They had repaid the loans through daily savings. Some of them have obtained their own residence from the government schemes and by the help of kind benefactors. REDS walked with them to monitor their progress, to motivate, to assist in their needs and joined them in their gatherings. They became like an extended family, to be counted on. Many of them turned out to be responsible citizens in the social life, gentle fathers and caring mothers. I would like to highlight a few developmental histories.